How Do I Know I Need Inpatient Treatment for Opiate Addiction?

Every individual is different. Not only does addiction present itself in different ways and cause varying problems in the lives of those it touches, but each individual patient also does not respond the same way to the same treatment options. This is why there are so many options available, so that each individual can receive the treatment that most befits their needs.

If you are an opiate addict and you have decided to seek treatment, you have made a beneficial first step to recovery. And when trying to decide what type of treatment to attend, it is important to ask yourself what you require. So, how do you know you need inpatient treatment for opiate addiction?

A Less-than-Common Scenario

Generally, most individuals do not require inpatient treatment for opioid addiction. This is because the drug itself does not often cause an addiction syndrome that requires a controlled environment and 24-hour care as part of treatment. For example, drugs like PCP, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine may cause severe psychosis, hallucinations, paranoid and homicidal thoughts, and other issues that cause those who abuse them to require this type of intensive treatment. Opiates do not usually cause these types of severe reactions as part of their addiction syndromes.

Therefore, when a person has been abusing opioid medications like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and others, they will often be able to attend outpatient care for their treatment. But there are certain scenarios that cause some individuals to require inpatient treatment and signs that may point to a particular person’s need for this more intensive treatment option.

Your Social Support System and the Part It Plays

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, outpatient care “often is more suitable for people with jobs or extensive social supports.” It is beneficial to those who are comfortable living their lives while attending treatment, perhaps not to the same capacity as they will once treatment has ended but with the ability and the desire to do both. This becomes much easier when the individual has a strong social support system at home.

Friends, family members, coworkers, spouses, and other people who support your decision to attend rehab will all be important to your overall recovery from opioid addiction. These individuals will provide you with the love, support, community, and hope that will often help you immensely during all of the stages of your treatment (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). However, if you do not have a strong social support system, it can be hard for you to recover without a safety net.

In this instance, you may want to consider seeking inpatient treatment for your opiate addiction. If you only have one or two individuals who are helping you during your recovery, or none at all, you may begin to feel unsupported and distraught. It could be much safer, as well as easier, for you to attend inpatient care in this instance because you can receive the support you need that you are unable to get at home.

Mental Health and Its Importance

Those with a mental illness should seek impatient care.

There are other reasons you may want to consider seeking inpatient treatment as well. Though opioid abuse does not cause severe psychosis like other drugs of abuse can, the NIDA states that, “compared with the general population, people addicted to drugs are roughly twice as likely to suffer from mood and anxiety disorders, with the reverse also true.” This is true of any type of drug abuse and addiction syndromes, including those associated with opioids, meaning many individuals who seek help for opioid addiction may also have mood disorders or other types of mental health issues.

Having severe psychiatric problems, such as a mental disorder that has gone untreated, could be a possible reason to attend inpatient care. A study published by Psychiatric Quarterly stated that “high psychiatric severity” could increase an individual’s need for inpatient care. Mental disorders, like depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and others, often fall into the category of high psychiatric severity for a recovering addict and cause someone to require more intensive care.

Mental health is incredibly important to recovery, and many people who have both an addiction to a drug and a mental disorder experience issues with both that are intensely intertwined. What’s more, if you attend treatment for your addiction and are only treated for that issue, you will have an increased likelihood of relapse if you do not receive treatment for both the addiction and your mental illness. In inpatient care, these facilities are often more equipped to treat both addiction and mental disorders or illnesses simultaneously.

It Comes Down to You

All in all, the need to attend inpatient treatment mostly rests on the addicted individual and what is best for them. Though it isn’t a necessary option for many opioid addicts, it may be for you for any number of reasons. Your safety, comfort, and ability to heal in the treatment environment you choose are several of the most important components of finding the best treatment option for your needs. As the NIDA states, “Matching treatment settings, interventions, and services to an individual’s particular problems and needs is critical to his or her ultimate success in returning to productive functioning in the family, workplace, and society.”

If you are still unsure as to whether or not you require inpatient treatment for your opioid addiction recovery, consider your needs as well as what would make you most focused and comfortable during treatment. It may be helpful to ask your friends and family about their thoughts, but keep in mind that the decision ultimately should be yours. You can also ask your personal physician about the treatment options available to you and about which they would recommend, as they have the benefit of medical knowledge as well as your own medical history. You can also ask a drug counselor or interventionist their thoughts. Ultimately, though, it comes down to you and whether you feel you have the need for inpatient care in order to begin your recovery.

Still Have Questions About Your Need for Opiate Addiction Inpatient Care?

Call 800-584-3274 today. We can help you consider your options and find rehab centers in your area that will cater to your needs.

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GENERAL DISCLAIMER: Opiate.com does not render medical advice. The information found through Opiate.com should be used for education purposes only. If you have, or suspect that you have a health problem, contact your healthcare provider. If you suspect that you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, call our helpline toll-free to speak with a treatment advisor. If you believe you have a medical emergency, or if you think someone has overdosed, you should call 911 immediately.